Jakarta is a major metropolitan city, the capital of Indonesia, and the largest city in Southeast Asia. Having gone through quite a few name changes in the past, Jakarta is now nicknamed ‘The Big Durian’, after the city’s native fruit, and is seen as Indonesia’s equivalent to ‘The Big Apple’ in the US.

Jakarta is new to the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, coming in at 109th place. The city earned its best score for the affordability indicator, ranking 19th globally. This is due to the relatively low tuition fees of US$3,100, and a cost of living which is low in comparison to other major cities, even though it’s relatively high compared to the rest of Indonesia.

Given its status as the economic, cultural and political center of Indonesia, it’s unsurprising Jakarta attracts masses of people, boasting a population of over 30 million, with many others commuting in during the day for work.

This bustling metropolis is perfect for students who want to experience a diverse culture, from food and languages to local traditions and customs. Those interested in learning more about the traditional culture should stop by Setu Babakan in South Jakarta and get to know the story of Betawi culture (the native ethnic group of Jakarta), drink the local beverage bir pletok, try the traditional dances of the area or have a bite of kerak telor (a spicy omelette dish).

Jakarta is also home to three world class universities that are ranked in the QS World University Rankings®. These are the University of Indonesia, Bogor Agricultural University and Bina Nusantara University (BINUS). As well as being the oldest state-run university in Indonesia, with more than 160 years of education under its belt, the University of Indonesia is also both Jakarta’s and Indonesia’s top university, ranked in 296th place. The university’s mission is to become a world-class research university and to provide quality education that is easily accessible to all.

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